Broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving method

ABSTRACT

A broadcast receiving apparatus of the invention comprises a tuner section which generates an intermediate frequency signal based on an intermediate frequency setting signal from a received broadcast signal, a filter section which allows the generated intermediate frequency signal to pass through, a demodulating section which carries out demodulation processing based on the intermediate frequency setting signal upon the intermediate frequency signal having passed through the filter section, and a control section which, after information about a place in which the broadcast signal is received is input, reads an intermediate frequency setting signal stored in a memory preliminarily corresponding to the place in which the information is input and supplies the signal to the tuner section and the demodulating section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-194310, filed Jun. 30, 2004; No. 2004-229723, filed Aug. 5, 2004; and No. 2004-381560, filed Dec. 28, 2004, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving method for receiving, for example, analog TV broadcasts, and more particularly to a broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving method compatible with worldwide broadcast programs not limited to any particular country or region.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known, the intermediate frequencies of tuners for analog TV broadcasts are different depending on country and region because of legal restrictions. For example, in Europe, the US and Japan, the frequency is 38.9 MHz and in China and other Asian countries, it is 38.0 MHz.

Thus, currently, tuner types handling each of the available intermediate frequencies are prepared, and a method of supplying a machine type compatible with a destination country and a method of selling a machine type corresponding to a user's region have been adopted.

However, these methods have a problem in that the supply system of the tuner to users becomes complicated and users cannot use their purchased tuner if they bring it to a region whose intermediate frequency is different.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-40977 discloses a frequency converter which converts intermediate frequency TV signals to low frequency using a mixer and Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-205593 discloses a circuit which performs digital filtering an intermediate frequency video signal.

However, there two publications describe nothing about a method for facilitating supply of the tuner to users to meet the fact that the intermediate frequency of the tuner must differ depending on the country or region.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a receiving section configured to receive a broadcast signal; a tuner section configured to convert a frequency of the broadcast signal received by the receiving section into an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency designated by an intermediate frequency setting signal; a filter section configured to allow the intermediate frequency signal generated in the tuner section to pass through; a demodulating section configured to carry out demodulation of the intermediate frequency signal based on the intermediate frequency setting signal; a memory section configured to store information of the intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to region where the receiving apparatus practicable; and a control section configured to read the information of the intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to specific region from the memory section, the specific region is selected by a user, and supply the signal to the tuner section and the demodulating section.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving method comprising: a first step of receiving a broadcast signal; a second step of generating an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency based on an intermediate frequency setting signal from the received broadcast signal; a third step of allowing the generated intermediate frequency signal to pass through a filter; a fourth step of carrying out demodulation processing based on the intermediate frequency setting signal upon the intermediate frequency signal having passed through the filter; and a fifth step of, after inputting information about a place in which the broadcast signal is received, reading the intermediate frequency setting signal stored in a memory preliminarily corresponding to the place in which the information is input and applying the intermediate frequency setting signal to processing in the second and fourth steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the signal processing system of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram for explaining the frequency characteristic of a band-pass filter of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the details of a tuner section of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the details of a demodulating section of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an intermediate frequency setting operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of an intermediate frequency setting screen used in the intermediate frequency setting operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a first modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a second modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a third modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a fourth modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining a fifth modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining a sixth modification of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a personal computer to which a tuner module of the embodiment is applied; and

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a portable phone to which the tuner module of the embodiment is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a broadcast receiving apparatus 11 of the embodiment. The broadcast receiving apparatus 11 has a portable thin box-shaped case 12.

The case 12 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 has a display section 13 and an operating section 14 on one flat portion 12 a thereof and a connector 15 for audio output to be connected to a headphone or the like is provided on a side face 12 b.

FIG. 2 shows a signal processing system of the broadcast receiving apparatus 11. That is, a TV broadcast signal received by an antenna 16 incorporated in the case 12 is supplied to a tuner module 17.

The tuner module 17 has a tuner section 18, a band-pass filter (BPF) 19 and a demodulating section 20. Then, the tuner section 18 converts an inputted TV broadcasting signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency and outputs to the BPF 19.

The BPF 19 allows modulated wave components satisfying some extent of signal-to-noise ratio of the input IF signal to pass and outputs to the demodulating section 20. Then, the demodulating section 20 generates a base band video signal and audio signal before demodulation from the input IF signal.

In this way, the video signal and the audio signal outputted from the tuner module 17 are supplied to a signal processing section 21. After converting the input video signal to a format suitable for representation on the display section 13, the signal processing section 21 outputs to the display section 13 for representation.

The signal processing section 21 executes demodulation processing on the inputted audio signal and then, outputs to headphones connected from outside through the connector 15 for audio reproduction.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 11 is controlled totally by a control section 23 about its all operations including the above-described receiving operation. The control section 23 incorporates a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, and receives operation information from the operating section 14 in order to control the respective sections so that the content of that operation information is reflected thereon.

In this case, the control section 23 uses a memory section 24. That is, the memory section 24 includes mainly a read only memory storing a control program to be executed by the CPU of the control section 23, a read-out write memory which provides a work area to that CPU and a nonvolatile memory storing various kinds of setting information including intermediate frequency setting signal described later, control information and the like.

Here, as the aforementioned tuner section 18, for example, a silicon tuner is used. The tuner section 18 is capable of selectively setting the intermediate frequency of the IF signal to 38.9 MHz or 38.0 MHz based on the intermediate frequency setting signal supplied from the control section 23 through, for example, a control bus such as IIC.

As the BPF 19, for example, a digital demodulation surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter is used. The BPF 19 allows the IF signals of two intermediate frequencies, 38.9 MHz and 38.0 MHz, to pass through as shown in FIG. 3.

Further, the BPF 19 is set so that its frequency characteristic has no Nyquist slope characteristic so as to be able to supply modulated wave components satisfying some extent of signal-to-noise ratio to a demodulating section 20 located on a post stage.

In the demodulating section 20, an internal clock is controlled so that demodulation processing corresponding to the IF signal of the intermediate frequency set by the tuner section 18 can be carried out from the control section 23 based on the intermediate frequency setting signal supplied through a control bus such as IIC.

Because the tuner module 17 is capable of meeting the IF signals of two intermediate frequencies, 38.0 MHz and 38.9 MHz, based on the intermediate frequency setting signal output from the control section 23, the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 can be supplied more easily to users and this is adaptable for practical use.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the tuner section 18. That is, TV broadcast signal received by the antenna 16 is supplied to a frequency mixer 18 c through an input terminal 18 a and a gain variable amplifier 18 b.

The frequency mixer 18 c shifts input TV broadcast signal of 50-870 MHz to 1.2 GHz by mixing with local oscillation signal output from a local oscillator 18 d.

Then, a high frequency signal outputted from the frequency mixer 18 c is supplied to a frequency mixer 18 f through a SAW BPF 18 e. The frequency mixer 18 f converts the input high-frequency signal to an IF signal of 38.9 MHz or 38.0 MHz by mixing with a local oscillation signal output from a local oscillator 18 g.

Thereafter, the IF signal output from the frequency mixer 18 f is fetched out from an output terminal 18 k through an amplifier 18 h, a SAW BPF 18 i and an amplifier 18 j and output to the BPF 19.

In the local oscillators 18 d, 18 g, their oscillation frequencies are controlled by phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits 18 l, 18 m. Further, an output of a reference oscillator 18 n is supplied to these PLL circuits 18 l, 18 m as a reference signal.

An intermediate frequency setting signal output from the control section 23 is supplied to the PLL circuit 18 m through a control terminal 18 o. In the PLL circuit 18 m, its division ratio is changed based on the intermediate frequency setting signal supplied from the control section 23 and the frequency of a local oscillation signal output from the local oscillator 18 g is changed based thereon. As a consequence, IF signals of 38.9 and 38.0 MHz can be selectively generated from the frequency mixer 18 f.

A gain adjustment signal output from the demodulating section 20 is supplied to the gain variable amplifier 18 b through a control terminal 18 p. In the gain variable amplifier 18 b, its gain is changed based on the gain adjustment signal output from the demodulating section 20 and automatic gain adjustment of the tuner module 17 is carried out.

FIG. 5 shows the details of the demodulating section 20. The IF signal of 38.9 or 38.0 MHz outputted from the BPF 19 is supplied to a frequency mixer 20 c through an input terminal 20 a and an amplifier 20 b.

The frequency mixer 20 c converts the inputted IF signal to a frequency operable with the digital signal processor (DSP) 20 located at a post stage by mixing with a clock signal output from a clock generating section 20 d.

After passing a BPF 20 e, the IF signal output from the frequency mixer 20 c is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter 20 f driven based on the clock signal output from the clock generating section 20 d and supplied to a DSP 20 g.

The DSP 20 g generates a gain adjustment signal to be given to the gain variable amplifier 18 b, video signal of baseband and audio signal prior to demodulation from the input IF signal based on the clock signal output from the clock generating section 20 d.

Then, the gain control signal, after being converted to an analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter 20 h, is supplied to the gain variable amplifier 18 b through an output terminal 20 i and the control terminal 18 p of the tuner section 18.

The video signal, after being converted to an analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter 20 j, is supplied to the signal processing section 21 through an output terminal 20 k. Further, the audio signal, after converted to an analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter 20 l, is supplied to the signal processing section 21 through an output terminal 20 m.

The clock generating section 20 d generates a clock signal based on a reference oscillation signal outputted from a reference oscillator 20 n. An intermediate frequency setting signal output from the control section 23 is supplied to the clock generating section 20 d through a control terminal 20 o.

The clock generating section 20 d controls the frequency of the clock signal based on the intermediate frequency setting signal supplied from the control section 23 so that the analog-to-digital converter 20 f and the DSP 20 g can execute analog-to-digital conversion processing and demodulation processing upon the IF signal of an intermediate frequency set by the tuner section 18.

Whether the intermediate frequency is set to 38.9 or 38.0 MHz can be set by a user when channel scanning of automatically retrieving a receivable channel by scanning a reception frequency band in succession continuously is demanded.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart summarizing the setting operation of the intermediate frequency. First, if the processing is started (step S1), the control section 23 determines whether or not channel scan is requested in step S2 and if it is determined that the channel scan is not requested (NO), the processing is terminated (step S7).

If it is determined that the channel scan is requested in step S2 (YES), the control section 23 indicates an intermediate frequency setting screen on the display section 13 in step S3. The intermediate frequency setting screen lists regions and countries as shown in FIG. 7.

Then, a user selects a place where the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 is to be used, that is, a region or country corresponding to the place where the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 is currently installed from the listed regions and countries. The selection is carried out by moving a cursor k on the screen by operating the operating section 14, and then operating a decision key.

Thereafter, the control section 23 waits until a region or a country is selected from the intermediate frequency setting screen by the user in step S4, and if it is determined that a region or a country is selected (YES), an intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to the intermediate frequency of the selected region or country is read out from the memory 24 in step S5 and output to the tuner section 18 and the demodulating section 20.

Consequently, in the tuner module 17, an intermediate frequency handled thereby is determined. If the intermediate frequency is determined in this way, the control section 23 executes the channel scan in step S6 and terminates the processing (step S7).

According to the above-described embodiment, since the tuner module 17 is capable of meeting the IF signals of two intermediate frequencies, 38.9 and 38.0 MHz, based on the intermediate frequency setting signal output from the control section 23, the broadcast receiving apparatus can be supplied to users easily and the apparatus is adaptable for practical use.

FIG. 8 shows a first modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 8 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, in the tuner module 17, a BPF 19 a for 38.9 MHz and a BPF 19 b for 38.0 MHz are prepared. By using switches 25 a, 25 b selectable depending on the intermediate frequency setting signal, a necessary BPF 19 a or 19 b is used. Under such a structure, the same operation as the broadcast receiving apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 2 is carried out and the same effect can be obtained.

FIG. 9 shows a second modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 19 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, in the tuner module 17, a single tuned circuit 26 for the IF signal frequency output from the tuner section 18 is connected between the tuner section 18 and the BPF 19.

That is, if a multi-wave signal is inputted to the tuner section 18, a carrier wave level of a channel adjacent to or second adjacent to a receiving channel is output from the tuner section 18 without being damped because the band of the SAW BPF18 e is about 20 MHz, and then input to the demodulating section 20 through the BPF 19.

Although the band characteristic of the IF signal outputted from the tuner section 18 is determined by a fore stage of the analog-to-digital converting section 20 f in the demodulating section 20 on a post stage, the carrier of the adjacent channel is not damped so much in the preceding BPF 19. When there exists a difference in signal level between the adjacent channel and the second adjacent channel, if the level of a reception signal is low with respect to a jamming wave, jamming by interference occurs.

To solve the problem, by connecting the single tuned circuit 26 for the IF signal frequency between the tuner section 18 and the BPF 19, the signal levels of the adjacent channel and second adjacent channel can be suppressed, so that a performance resisting interference can be improved.

FIG. 10 shows a third modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 10 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, in the tuner module 17, a trap filter 27, which is a channel upper second adjacent to a receiving channel, is connected between the BFF 19 and the demodulating section 20.

If the multi-wave signal is input to the tuner section 18 as described above, the levels of channels adjacent to and second adjacent to the receiving channel is output from the tuner section 18 without being damped because the band of the SAW BPF 18 e is about 20 MHz, and then input to the demodulating section 20 through the BPF 19.

Although the band characteristic of the IF signal output from the tuner section 18 is determined on a stage preceding the analog-to-digital converting section 20 f in the demodulating section 20 on a post stage, the carrier of the adjacent channel is not damped so much in the preceding BPF 19. If the input IF signal is analog-to-digital converted under such a condition, the performance resisting interference in the vicinity of a channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel is worsened by sampling distortion in the demodulating section 20.

To solve the problem, by connecting the trap filter 27 between the BPF 19 and the demodulating section 20, the signal component of the second adjacent channel can be suppressed, so that the performance resisting interference can be improved.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 11 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, a notch filter 28, which is a channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel, is connected between the tuner section 18 and the BPF 19 in the tuner module 17. With such a structure, the signal component of the channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel can be suppressed like the third modification, thereby making it possible to improve the performance resisting interference.

FIG. 12 shows a fifth modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 12 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, a notch filter 29, which is a channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel, is connected between the BPF 19 and the demodulating section 20 in the tuner module 17. With such a structure, the signal component of the channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel can be suppressed like the third modification, thereby making it possible to improve the performance resisting interference.

FIG. 13 shows a sixth modification of the above embodiment. If FIG. 13 is explained with the same reference numerals given to the same components, notch filters 28, 29, which are a channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel, are connected between the tuner section 18 and the BPF 19 and between the BPF 19 and the demodulating section 20, respectively, in the tuner module 17. With such a structure, the signal component of the channel upper second adjacent to the receiving channel can be suppressed like the third modification, thereby making it possible to improve the performance resisting interference.

The above-mentioned tuner module 17 can be applied to a wide application field including the personal computer (PC) 30 shown in FIG. 14, the portable phone 31 shown in FIG. 15 and the like.

In the meantime, the present invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments but upon carrying out the invention, the components of the invention can be modified within a scope not departing from the gist of the invention. Further, by combining plural components disclosed in the above-described embodiments appropriately, various kinds of other inventions can be formed. For example, it is permissible to erase some components from the all components disclosed in the embodiments. 

1. A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a receiving section configured to receive a broadcast signal; a tuner section configured to convert a frequency of the broadcast signal received by the receiving section into an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency designated by an intermediate frequency setting signal; a filter section configured to allow the intermediate frequency signal generated in the tuner section to pass through; a demodulating section configured to carry out demodulation of the intermediate frequency signal based on the intermediate frequency setting signal; a memory section configured to store information of the intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to region where the receiving apparatus practicable; and a control section configured to read the information of the intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to specific region from the memory section, the specific region is selected by a user, and supply the signal to the tuner section and the demodulating section.
 2. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tuner section comprises: a first converting section configured to mix the broadcast signal received by the receiving section with a first local oscillation signal to convert to a signal having a frequency higher than the broadcast signal; a second converting section configured to mix the signal output from the first converting section with a second local oscillation signal to convert to an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency lower than the broadcast signal; and a frequency changing section configured to change the frequency of the second local oscillation signal used in the second converting section based on the intermediate frequency setting signal.
 3. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the demodulating section comprises: a third converting section configured to mix the intermediate frequency signal output from the filter section with a clock signal to convert to a signal having a predetermined frequency; an analog-to-digital converting section configured to digitize the signal output from the third converting section based on the clock signal; a demodulating section configured to carry out demodulation processing upon the signal output from the analog-to-digital converting section based on the clock signal; and a clock signal frequency changing section configured to change the frequency of the clock signal based on the intermediate frequency setting signal.
 4. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter section is a SAW filter having a frequency characteristic of allowing intermediate frequency signals of all frequencies which are outputted from the tuner section to pass through such that a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio is satisfied.
 5. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter section comprises: a plurality of filters configured to allow the intermediate frequency signals of all frequencies which are output from the tuner section to pass through; and switches configured to selectively connect the plurality of filters between the tuner section and the demodulating section based on the intermediate frequency setting signal.
 6. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section comprises: a display control section configured to display an intermediate frequency setting screen listing plural regions or countries; an operating section configured to select and determine a predetermined region or country on the intermediate frequency setting screen displayed based on the display control section; and a generating section configured to generate an intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to a predetermined region or country selected and determined by the operating section.
 7. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section is configured to input information corresponding to a place in which the broadcast signal is received when channel scan is requested.
 8. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate frequency setting signal corresponds to any one of intermediate frequency signals of 38.0 and 38.9 MHz.
 9. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a single tuned circuit for the intermediate frequency signal generated by the tuner section is connected between the tuner section and the filter section.
 10. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a trap filter, which is a channel upper second adjacent to a receiving channel, is connected between the filter section and the demodulating section.
 11. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein notch filters, which are a channel upper second adjacent to a receiving channel, are connected between the tuner section and the filter section and/or between the filter section and the demodulating section.
 12. A tuner module comprising: a receiving section configured to receive a broadcast signal; a tuner section configured to generate an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency based on an intermediate frequency setting signal supplied from outside from the broadcast signal received by the receiving section; a filter section configured to allow the intermediate frequency signal generated by the tuner section to pass through; and a demodulating section configured to carry out demodulation processing based on the intermediate frequency setting signal supplied from outside upon the intermediate frequency signal having passed through the filter section.
 13. A broadcast receiving method comprising: a first step of receiving a broadcast signal; a second step of generating an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency based on an intermediate frequency setting signal from the received broadcast signal; a third step of allowing the generated intermediate frequency signal to pass a filter; a fourth step of carrying out demodulation processing based on the intermediate frequency setting signal upon the intermediate frequency signal having passed through the filter; and a fifth step of, after inputting information about a place in which the broadcast signal is received, reading the intermediate frequency setting signal stored in a memory preliminarily corresponding to the place in which the information is input and applying the intermediate frequency setting signal to processing in the second and fourth steps.
 14. The broadcast receiving method according to claim 13, wherein the fifth step comprises: steps of displaying an intermediate frequency setting screen listing plural regions or countries when channel scan is requested; steps of executing an operation for selecting and determining a predetermined -region or country on the displayed intermediate frequency setting screen; and steps of generating an intermediate frequency setting signal corresponding to a predetermined region or country selected and determined. 